All roads in the city lead to a central square, housing Osmania Masjid, built in front of the official residence of the prime minister of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, also known as Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
Other government buildings like president house and legislative assembly radiate from the Turkish style mosque.
Inaugurated in 2009 by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (then prime minister), the three-story mosque can accommodate 2500 worshipers. Erdoğan offered prayers in the mosque after unveiling a plaque.
"This is a unique gift from the Turkish government to people in the region," Mohammad Liaqat, a local resident told Anadolu Agency. "Many people come with their families on weekends, to combine an outing with offering prayers. The mosque is packed on Fridays," he said.
Liaqat maintains that the mosque has added an important feature to the city, which was usually listless, except boasting a 16th century Muzaffarabad Fort.
When Pakistan sought help to rehabilitate earthquake victims and rebuild infrastructure, Turkey was the first to respond.
"The Turkish government has helped us a lot and President Erdogan, who was then prime minister, visited here twice," Tariq Mahmood Butt, a senior AJK government official told Anadolu Agency.
Ankara not only played a central role in relief, but it also built almost all the main buildings in the city.
The beautiful district government complex, which comprises 12 administrative blocks, 26 residential facilities, schools, colleges, a library complex, mosque, shopping center, conference hall and a sports center, has a visible Turkish mark in terms of architecture and planning.
"The color of all these buildings is red. It has a method behind it. We selected this national color of Turkey, to show our affection to Turkish people," said Butt, indicating Turkish flag's colors red and white.
In 2009, Erdoğan had also planted a sapling in the lawn of the Kashmir Institute of Management, which has now grown into a big tree. "This tree reminds us of the help and love of Erdoğan and Turkish people, who helped us in the most difficult times," said Shafiqurehman, another government official.
